Word to the Wise
Monday, March 21, 2016 - Holy Week - Mon
[Isa 42:1-7 and John 12:1-11]Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my Spirit...[Isaiah]
Yesterday [Palm Sunday], I called attention to the line from the Passion According to Luke, "I am among you as one who serves." Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday our first scripture will be taken from Isaiah's poems of the "Suffering Servant." On Good Friday there will be another one of these poems. They are eery in their description of this figure of suffering. The early Christian community found in them a foretelling of the ministry and suffering of Jesus. Perhaps this is why the scenes of Jesus' baptism and the "Transfiguration" in the synoptic gospels echo the words quoted above. Isaiah's words invite our reflection as we recall what the servant Jesus suffered for our sakes during this Holy Week.
The gospel scriptures for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday also have something in common. They mention Judas and his betraying behavior. If Isaiah invites us to reflect on Jesus, perhaps Judas may direct our attention to ourselves and the world at large. The first preachers encountered people who thought Jesus was the ultimate loser - a crucified criminal. Perhaps Judas thought that Jesus was not the messiah, but just one more rabbi that would come to a bloody end. Judas, however, was not the only betrayer. Peter, the chosen leader, would do the same in disowning Jesus.
The Suffering Servant and the fickle faith of those who are served provide us with a contrast for our thoughts. Close attention to the scriptures of this week can help us to know better what the Servant among us has done and what we need to do. AMEN
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